Claimed By The Mafia Don (Ariella and Asher) novel Chapter 391

ARIELLA

Later that evening, Asher came back earlier than usual, about half an hour before dinner.

The moment Leon saw him, he ran straight into his arms.

“Daddy! Let’s go! You have to show me the secrets of the stump!”

Asher blinked. “I told you to ask Sia. I don’t know any secrets.”

“But Sia said you do!” Leon insisted. “She said you showed her the secrets, and she showed me the secrets today! So if you can’t remember, you have to buy me a really big gift, and then I’ll remind you.”

Asher looked at me for answers. I shrugged.

“Leon only told me it’s a secret for three. I’m not included, so I don’t know what to tell you.”

He sighed. “Alright, fine. What do you want for the secret?”

Leon thought about it seriously.

“I want you to teach me how to beat Uncle Luca,” he said finally. “And if you can teach me how to beat him, then I’ll tell you.”

“Done,” Asher said immediately. “Nothing would make me happier than you beating your Uncle Luca.”

“Yay!” Leon cheered.

I just shook my head at their deal. Then Leon grabbed his father’s hand, and the two of them headed outside toward the stump. And here’s the thing.... I didn’t really care about the stump. I wasn’t planning to follow them. But…

Curiosity. That quiet, stubborn need to know. It wouldn’t leave me alone. So even though I told myself I didn’t care about that stupid stump… I still went after them.

I kept my steps light as I followed them until I got close enough that when they turned around, they wouldn't be able to catch me. I don’t know why I was doing this stupid cat-and-mouse game to begin with.

The path toward the stump was dimly lit, the soft glow from the garden lights barely reaching the far end where the gazebo stood. I slowed down as I got closer.

Leon was already tugging Asher’s hand, pulling him toward the centre of the gazebo where the stump sat, quiet and still.

“Here,” Leon said excitedly. “This is where it is.”

Asher looked around, then down at the stump, his brows pulling together slightly.

“I’m telling you, Leon, I don’t remember any secrets,” he said.

“You have to,” Leon insisted. “Sia said you do.”

I stayed just outside the gazebo, half hidden by the shadows, my eyes fixed on them. Asher crouched down in front of the stump, running his hand over the surface like he was trying to remember something buried deep in his mind.

“Alright,” he muttered, “let’s see what’s the big deal.”

Leon dropped to his knees beside him, watching every movement like it was the most important thing in the world.

“I’ll give you a clue,” Leon said.

“Really?” Asher asked, turning to him.

“Yes. Maybe it’s under it. Maybe it’s on top of it. Maybe it’s beside it… or maybe it’s inside it.”

And I felt all of us freeze. Because in that moment, Asher’s head snapped up, and his eyes landed directly on me.

Silence. A long, stretched silence.

“You were following us,” Asher said, not accusing, just stating the truth.

I straightened slightly, stepping fully into the light.

“I was curious,” I admitted. “You can’t blame me for wanting to know what secrets my husband and son would have with his tutor.”

Leon didn’t even care that I was there anymore. His eyes were wide, fixed on the stump.

“It opened,” he breathed. “Dad… Mom… it opened.”

Asher looked back down slowly, carefully. Then, using both hands, he pressed against the section that had shifted. This time, it gave way. A small hidden compartment revealed itself within the stump. Old and Worn. Definitely not something that had been made recently.

Leon gasped. “I told you! I told you there were secrets! Sia wouldn’t lie to me!”

I looked at Asher then. He looked… almost confused. Like he hadn’t expected this. And yet, there was something in his face that told me this wasn’t just a coincidence.

Asher reached inside the compartment slowly, pulling out something wrapped in old cloth Carefully. Almost hesitant.

Leon was practically bouncing now. “What is it, Dad? What is it?”

Asher didn’t answer immediately. He unwrapped it slowly, the fabric falling away piece by piece until what was inside finally came into view.

And for a moment.... Asher didn’t move.